Friday Round Up

Today is a very big day in our house. My daughter Alex leaves primary school. This week we went to her new school for her induction evening and last night we were at her Leavers Night at the Primary. I felt a little bit sad last night that she really is growing up and starting a whole new era, when she will turn from a little girl into a young woman via the inevitable nightmare teenage years. But I have no choice, she is ready and raring to go - it's me that needs to let go :)

This week I made the deciscion to reopen my Folksy shop. I haven't really added any new stock since Christmas but I've decided that I will give it another go. I like the fact I can refer people to a shop that sells in pounds but there are still a few things about the site that need work on. It remains extremely slow for one and I have still no idea how they decide where an item is in search - I have to hunt through several pages of listings before finding any of my items, even newly listed ones. I've decided to list only a few of the same items as in my Etsy shop, such as a few Bubbles bracelets, but will mainly do a different line of jewellery.

I've listed a few necklaces on Folksy including this Teal and Turquoise Cluster



I've also listed this perfect summer Chunky Boho Necklace



I haven't completely forgotten about Etsy and have been listing some new memory wire bracelets like this Peachy Pink Shimmer Memory Wire Bracelet

Mondays Featured Seller

Today I'm featuring the work of Folksy potter Angela from TaitGallery

First up are these cute Personalised Ceramic Wedding Favours



Next I really like this Love Heart Gift for your grandma. I'm sure my Mum would love to get one from my kids!



And finally, a very sweet Graduation Keepsake

Mondays Featured Seller

Todays featured seller is Folksy seller Fiona, from Christals Creations I was the lucky winner of Fionas blog giveaway this month and she spoiled me with not only a lovely necklace and earrings set, but lots of lush beads to play with as well!

Fiona's shop is a gorgeous selection of beaded jewellery. My absolute favourite is this Sea Breeze Bracelet, which is a mix of green and blue pearls and crystals.



I also love these simple yet elegant Golden Dreams Earrings



And finally, who could resist this lovely Pink Cluster Necklace?



You can find out more about Fiona at her blog

Wednesday Wish List

It's Mothers Day in the UK on Sunday, March 14th so for my Wish List this week, I've been taking a look at some of the lovely handmade cards on Etsy and Folksy.

First up is this cuter than cute I love you Mum
card from Ella Parry


Or how about this simple, yet stylish Personalised 'Mum' Hand Cut Card from QuiteContrary2


And from Folksy seller Mollymoo is this gorgeous 3 Little Birds Mothers Day card


There's no shortage of lovely cards on both Etsy and Folksy for Mums - so get browsing!

Christmas Wish List

I've been browsing Etsy and Folksy this week for bags to add to my Christmas Wish List. I have loads of bags but am firmly of the belief that you can never have too many!

The first one that caught my eye is the Minus Tote in Amber I just love the colour.


Something for the evening now is this stunning Ruby silk starburst luxury clutch bag from RedRubyRose I just need the occassion and then I can treat myself!


And this Purple Waxy Leather Satchel from Easily Suede is simply stunning.

Christmas Wish List

I'm a real sucker for Christmas and love nothing more than decorating the house on the first weekend in December. So for my Chrismas Wish List this week I've been browsing all the lovely handmade Christmas decorations on Etsy and Folksy.

I absolutely love these Shaker Style Hearts from SnowFish


Next on my wish list is these Silver Christmas Baubles from MooCowHandKnits


And finally I love the simplicity of these White Stars from Folksy seller Jude Allman

Round Up

Apologies for my lack for blogging again this past week. I have been mega busy with the day job and preparing for craft fairs. My last fair is tomorrow night and I'll be glad to get it over with. Part of the reason is that my other 2 fairs have been pretty successful and I've more or less sold out of all my girls jewellery. That means instead of making new things for my shops, I've been making for the fairs instead.

I was delighted this week to find out that I'm a featured seller on Folksy I've noticed a big increase in views and have had a couple of sales on there - so thank you! I've added a couple of new things to my shop including this Lavender and Pink Memory Wire bracelet


On Etsy I was amazed to find myself in another Gift Guide. This one is the Gifts under $50 and features my Silver Pearls Memory Wire bracelet


And finally, a new Bubbles bracelet. This one is like Holly Berries in a lovely vibrant red.

Friday Roundup

Well, I'm glad I decided to restock my Folksy shop last week, as I've had 4 sales in it! I've gone a bit mad as usual over buying beads, so have vowed not to buy anymore until Christmas, unless I really need to. I'm not sure yet what constitutes 'needing to' buy beads, but I shall be testing my resolve!

I have left some new items into the shop I supply and there were only 2 necklaces that haven't been sold since I last gave them some, so I'm well pleased.

This week I've been quite busy making up new bracelets for my online shops and have been swearing at the weather! As I take all my pics outside the persistant rain we have been having here is making photo taking especially difficult. I have been dashing out between showers to try and snap off a few shots - not ideal.

I have long thought about a black and white Bubbles bracelet and this week have finally made one. I called it the Guinness Pearl Bracelet and am pretty pleased how it has turned out.



I also made this Dark Olive Bubbles Bracelet which is a mix of glass pearls and Gutermann Haiwiian Beads.



And finally I made this rather bright Black and Emerald Green Memory Wire bracelet with a view to all those parties coming up.

Featured Seller

Apologies that this is a day late but I was at work all day yesterday so didn't get it done.

This weeks featured seller is Folksy seller Tracy from FatCatFelt


What is your name/business name?
Hi, I’m Tracy Markey and my business is called fatcat felt.

What is your craft?
I make handmade felt which I then transform into many different items!



How long have you been crafting for?
Oh gosh, for as long as I can remember! I’ve had a go at lots of things through the years, from sewing and embroidery; ceramics; drawing; painting; paper-making; photography; mixed media collage; weaving …

What is your most favourite thing about your craft?
I love that wool is so tactile, both for me while I’m working with it and also for the person who buys the finished item; there is no end to the things you can make from felt – the only limit is your imagination! Also, it’s a pretty sustainable material, the sheep will always grow a new fleece :)



And the least favourite?
Nothing really, I’m so lucky to have found something I really enjoy doing. My only complaint would is that there are never enough hours in the day to do everything I would like to do.

Where do you sell your work?
On Folksy (www.folksy.com/shops/fatcatfelt) and at local craft fairs and markets. I’m also hoping to get a website up and running in the new year.



Anything else you'd like to tell us?
Selling your own work isn’t always easy but if you find something you love doing, then follow your heart because you never know where it can take you, and you meet so many great folk along the way. It’s really important to have confidence in yourself and trust your instinct and also, of course, the support from all the great Folksy folk on the forums really helps too.

Thanks Tracy for answering my questions and I hope you'll check our her shop.

Weekly Roundup

A few months ago I did a big custom order for bridesmaids necklaces, bracelets and earrings. And yesterday Jill, the beautiful bride, sent me some pics of her with some of her bridesmaids wearing the pieces at the wedding.

I was so touched that she sent me the pics and was delighted that the jewellery looked so good!

This week I decided that rather than letting my Folksy shop die, I would restock for the Christmas period. So I've added a few new items this week, but I've got to admit I'm bemused by how items are listed. I've searched for my pearl bracelets I've just listed and they turn up pages and pages down the search option.

Anyway, I've listed this Apple Green Pearl Bracelet



and this Lavender Pearl Bracelet



This week I've also decided to have a sale on Etsy of some of my older items. I've added memory wire bracelets, necklaces and a couple of pearl bracelets, so check it out! Here's a couple of the items on sale -


Sea Spray Swarovski Crystal and Pearl Bracelet


Olive and Navy Memory Wire Bracelet

Mondays Featured Seller

Todays featured seller is Etsy and Folksy seller Jackie from Forever Foxed

What is your name/business name?
My name is Jackie and I sell my terrier-ific designs under the name of Forever Foxed.


What is your craft?
I started making terrier-inspired greeting cards using felt and then moved on to traditionally printed cards. Since then I have branched out and use a small Japanese printer called a gocco and am about to start using a letterpress. I then began to think about ways to expand so recently introduced badges into my product range. More products coming soon!

How long have you been crafting for?
I've always enjoyed making things, but only had the confidence to start selling stuff recently.


What is your most favourite thing about your craft?
I love getting covered in ink and experimenting with my gocco printer. I'm pretty excited about beginning to work with letterpress as the end result is so tactile; the images are "pressed" into the paper so have a lovely feel to them.

And the least favourite?
Clearing up! I always seem to make such a mess.


Where do you sell your work?
I mainly sell through my own website (http://www.foreverfoxed.com) but I also sell on Etsy (http://foreverfoxed.etsy.com) and Folksy (http://foreverfoxed.folksy.com)

Anything else you'd like to tell us?
To all budding sellers out there, make the most of all the social networking sites to promote your goods. Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and blogging are all valuable tools and they're FREE. Just remember not to bombard everyone with product information as it gets a little tired.


Thanks to Jackie for answering my questions and I'll hope you'll check out her terrific shops!

Featured Seller!

This weeks featured seller is Natalie from Folksy shop Lissi

What is your name/business name?
Hi my name is Natalie and I am the founder of Lissi, Naturally Dyed Products.


What is your craft?
I create silk fashion accessories and greetings cards by using natural dying techniques to colour cloth and then finish everything off by hand or machine stitch.

How long have you been crafting for?
I have only been making my products since June this year, but the concept and ideas generated from using the techniques to produce my final major project for my degree, and I really enjoyed dying and making items that were all original so found a way to carry on!


What is your most favourite thing about your craft?
I love that you can never dye anything exactly the same twice! Each time it’s a guessing game of how things will turn out.

And the least favourite?
The fact that I still only own one large jam pan and can only do one dye pot at a time!


Where do you sell your work?
I have the most products available in my Folksy shop, but I am also testing the waters with a few products on other sites such as Misi and Joolia.

Anything else you'd like to tell us?
I have recently added more pictures of dye samples, products, and information to my website http://lissionline.jimdo.com



Thanks to Natalie for answering my questions and I hope you'll all check out her lovely shop.

Mondays Featured Seller

Todays featured seller is Etsy and Folksy seller Christine from DarkFairyTreasures

What is your name/business name?
Dark Fairy Treasures


What is your craft?
I make unique one of a kind pices of jewellery, and bespoke wedding stationary.

How long have you been crafting for?
I have been crafting since I was a child, and have a great interest in ancient textiles, jewellery, and all papercrafts.


What is your most favourite thing about your craft?
Since I became disabled in 2003, crafting has become a lifeline for me. I craft to exercise my hands and my mind.

And the least favourite?
My least favorite thing about crafting, is that my treacherous hands don't always work.


Where do you sell your work?
Folksy,Etsy and by word of mouth.


Anything else you'd like to tell us?
My blog address is www.darkfairtytreasures.blogspot.com

Thanks so much for answering my questions and I hope you'll all check out Christines shops.

Mondays Featured Seller

Todays featured seller is Folksy seller Chloe from Hatastic



What is your name/business name?
Hatastic!

What is your craft?
I design and make fascinators, headdresses, and other such hair accessories.



How long have you been crafting for?
I have always made things, but Hatastic! was officially born in March 2009

What is your most favourite thing about your craft?
I LOVE being able to put things together from whatever I can find at home or in secondhand shops! Currently I am making a bespoke piece for a client which includes a pheasant feather. I didn't have any fabric that was quite the right colour to go with the feather, and used an old makeup bag which was totally unusable and had aged naturally, so the gorgeous patent pewter colour of the bag was cut up! Looks fab!



And the least favourite?
Paperwork!


Where do you sell your work?
Folksy and a bit on Etsy, but I am lucky to have a few stockists too.
Eco Emporia
Rococo Ethical Boutique
The Oriental Magpie
Shop Curious
Mary Portas Living and Giving Shop



I am also featured in
Not Just a Label
Cosa Verde

Anything else you'd like to tell us?
I am also a blogger for Eclipse Magazine on hat fashion. Check out the current competition where you can win the exclusive Eclipse Fascinator! Ends on 14th September so enter now!

http://www.eclipsemagazine.co.uk/magazine/winaneclipsefascinatorfromhatastic.html

Thanks so much for answering my questions and I hope you'll all enter the competition as it ends today!

Mondays Featured Seller

Todays featured seller is elgeecanknit from Folksy

What is your name/business name?
Business Name: Elgee,Fink & Ash - thats me, my hubby and my son


What is your craft?
Knitting, sewing, patchworking, sculpting (from recycled materials), making from recyled materials, cross-stitch, tapestry


How long have you been crafting for?
As long as I can remember my mum taught me to knit and the rest is self taught. My gran gave me a sewing machine years ago and I have never looked backed since. I have really taken it seriously since I was about 22.

What is your favourite thing about your craft?
My fav thing just now is knitting I love the fact that you can create anything its amazing the end result. Also I love patchworking old bits of material (cant throw anything out)


And your least fav?
Finishing a job off.

Where do you sell your work?
In our Local Museum (where I work) and on Folksy, craft fairs and parties at my house.


Thank you for answering my questions and I hope you'll all check out her shop.